Culture

The Citizen Potawatomi are Algonquian-speaking people who originally occupied the Great Lakes region of the United States. Originally, the Potawatomi were part of the Three Fires Council comprised of Potawatomi, Ojibwe and Odawa, collectively known as Anishnabek (or Anishinabe) peoples. By the end of the 18th century, tribal villages were being displaced by white settlements, ultimately ushering in the American treaty era. Through a series of treaties, beginning in 1789, their tribal estate totaling more than 89 million acres was gradually reduced. The federal government continued reducing Potawatomi landholdings by removing them to smaller reserves in Iowa, Missouri and finally Kansas in 1846. In 1861, the Potawatomi in Kansas was officially divided by way of a treaty that required its signers to surrender tribal membership and adopt U.S. citizenship, in turn creating the foundation for Citizen Potawatomi Nation. It was a decision that forever shaped the culture and lives of our people and subsequently led to the eventual migration to Indian Territory (Oklahoma).

Today, Citizen Potawatomi Nation is one of 39 federally recognized Native American tribes with headquarters in Oklahoma. CPN is a thriving nation that is actively working to retain its culture while being a frontrunner in Native American business. Below are links to more in-depth information regarding our history and culture.

Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s Cultural Heritage Center exists to educate tribal members, the greater Native American community and other visitors about the historical and contemporary aspects of the tribe.

The annual Family Reunion Festival of Citizen Potawatomi Nation is a celebration of native culture for the Potawatomi. The 2018 Family Reunion Festival is June 29 - July 1. Activities include Grand Entry, cultural classes, a dance contest and General Council.

The Gathering of Potawatomi Nations is hosted each year by one of the nine bands of Potawatomi, providing an opportunity for members of all bands to come together and celebrate their Potawatomi heritage. It includes a language conference, cultural workshops, language classes, cultural classes and sporting events.

The Eagle Aviary houses eagles rescued from the wild that are injured and cannot be fully rehabilitated. They are taken care of for the remainder of their lives at this facility. The aviary allows CPN access to naturally molted feathers, which are distributed to tribal members for cultural and religious purposes. In addition, the facility gives CPN the means to save the Creator’s great messenger as well as the opportunity to reconnect our people to the living eagle.

In 1838, the Potawatomi Indians in the state of Indiana were forcibly removed from their ancestral homelands by order of the U.S. government. The 859 Potawatomi who started the journey traveled across Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and finally Kansas before arriving at their intended destination. The loss of life, 41 in total, resulted in the removal becoming known as the Potawatomi Trail of Death.